Environmental groups wrong on waste-to-energy plants

Having spent a substantial portion of my career in the solid waste management field, I have followed with interest the debate regarding waste-to-energy facilities as renewable energy sources. I find it disconcerting that some environmental groups continue trying to aggressively discredit WTE incineration as a viable option.

I am not a fan of solid waste management strategies based on a goal of "zero waste" generation. Such strategies sound good but are unrealistic. Effective waste management strategies need to be comprehensive, incorporating components for reuse, recycling, reduction, processing and disposal. Waste-to-energy facilities need to be given careful and reasoned consideration if we are to stop exporting thousands of tons of Maryland waste to landfills in neighboring states, as is our current practice.